Electric controller



sept. 7, 192e. 1598,639

W. C. BRGGS ELECTRIC CONTROLLER Filed JanY 12, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 1 y T 329. gz. [1591 m m I mmmmm mmmmmm mmzmawg@ c-Zmvfw Sept. 7, 1926i" 1,598,639 W. C. BRIGGS l ELECTRIC CONTBGLLER Filed Jan. 12 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM C. BRIGGS, OF ASHBOURNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLER.

Application led January 12, 1923.

Une object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple, substantial and convenient device for controlling the flow of current. to an electric motor, and the invention more particularly contemplates a novel form of reversing switch, especially adapted for use in connection with that class of electric motors commonly employed on hoists, cranes and like machinery.

I further desire to provide a form of electric controller particularly adapted for suspension from a current conducting cable, and Whose construction shall be such as to permit of its operation with the utmost ease and comfort, the various members of the controller being so constructed and mounted as to reduce to a minimumthe likelihood of any of the parts getting out of order.

Another object of my invention is to provide an 4electric. controller having novel means whereby its movable element is caused to automatically return to its off or a neutral position when it is released.

My invention further includes a. combination of parts which, while effectually protecting the current conducting elements will permit of their convenient inspection and replacement when this is advisable.

These objects and other advantageous ends I attain as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which 'i Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating an electric controller constructed in accordance with my invention,-the cover plate being removed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2. Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation, similar to Fig. 1, but showingthe movable element in one if its extreme positions;

Fig.-4 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating the fixed and movable contacts of the controller, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the two contact members of the movable element of the controller.

In the above drawings 1 represents a more or less vertically elongated casing, preferably of cast metal, having an open side normally closed by a cover plate 2 and including an integral, downwardly extending handle portion 3.k Extending transversely within the casing and having its ends journaled respectively in the fixed rear side and in the cover Serial No. 612,208.

plate of the case is a spindle 4 of rectangular cross section. on which is clamped a cam plate 5. tangular opening for the reception of said shaft and has a slot extending into said opening, being provided with a pair of similar lugs 6 for the reception of a bolt 7, whereby it may be caused to rigidly grip or clamp the spindle 4. Two links 8 and 9 are pivotally connected to the opposite ends of the plate 5 and they extend downwardly through an opening in the bottom of the casing 1, having suitable ends or triggers 10 and 11 within the area defined by the handle 3 for the reception of two fingers of an operator the arrangement of the parts being such that if tberhandle be grasped by the hand of an operator, his second and third fingers may conveniently be engaged with said triggers 10 and 11 of the two links, which may then be conveniently drawn down or permitted to move up at will to cause or permit oscillation of the plate 5 and with it the spindle 4.

Also mounted on the said spindle 4 is a sleeve 12 of insulating material. preferably rectangular in cross-section and designed for the reception of two contact members 13 and 14. These two members are of similar construction and each of them consists of a spli t rectangular body 15, designed to be clamped upon the sleeve 12 by means of a screw 16 and having integral with it three projecting contacts 17, 18 and 19. Of these Contacts, those indicated at 17 and 19 project in substantially the same straight line on opposite sides of the body 15, while the contact 18 projects from said body in a line at right angles to that of the said other contacts, having a Contact face extended parallel with the spindle and of a length substantially three times that of the Contact faces of the contacts 17 and 19. The construction is such that when the two members 13 and 14 are mounted on the sleeve 12 so that the long Contact 18 of each member overhangs the split or slot in the body of the other inember, the face of each contact 17 of one memf ber is adjacent and in substantial alignment with the contact 19 of the other member. As shown in Fig. 5, two long contacts 18 are diametrically opposite each other, as are also the two pairs of aligned contacts 17-19, so that the movable element of the controller has four sets of contacts positioned ninety degrees apart around the spindle on which they are mounted.

This plate is formed with a rec-4 'all A, Y fi 1.' 1,

the second insulating oloei ti r indzcated at Q-l.

cast these two pairs or contart ting-trs e3:- tend downwerdt)Y trom the insnleting` blocks 2l) and 2l so as to be capable ot yieldablv coactine' with the contacts ot the Contact members lil and l-l.y and the construction neutral position. ln one extreme pos one ot the lonja' contacts i8 will simultaneonsljf engage both ot the contact lini 22 and 2B, whil, the other lont' Contact will siila1'l} engage the two opposite Contact tinbers carried b v the blot-li 2l. In the other extreme position ot the mo vable element ot the controller, the contact l? oit one ot the contact members and the contact 19 ot the other member, will respectiveljvY engage the Contact lingers Q2 and Q3, while the other pair ot contacts l) and l? ot' said Contact members will simnltaneonsl)Y eng/'age the two contact lingers carried by the block 2l. lllhen the contact members are in their neutral positionl their contacts are disengalere/il trom the contact For insnrine that C the Contact members shall normallyY remain 1n and at all times tend to return to their neutral position. l provino a roller-carrvingplunger Q5, laren tndinallv slidable in a pair of lnns 2G pr jecting' inwardl)v trom the cover plate 2, and mount a spring' 2T between one ot these lnes and a collar QS on said plnneer so that the latter at all times pressed toward the adjacent edeje ot the cam plate This edge is preterabllv given double convex ontline. inclinline` a central depression. ,and terminates in abntments Q9A so that as it is swung' trom a neutral position in wnirh the plunger engages its central depression, it Yforces said plunger npwardl;v aeainst the action ot the spring 2T nntil its tnrther rotation is stopped bv engagement ot one otits abrtients Q9 with the plunger, at which time el. er the lone' iontacts lll or 'he pairs ot con 'acts lT-ll are in engagement with the two pairs ot contact tinge-rs as above described. Under these conditions it ohvions that it the torce exerted npon the l` 3 and t) be withdrawn. the spriir .vi l through the plnneer Q5 to reinrn the i plate o to its mid or nenti-al position Shown in tacts are lingers.

The casing' l has at its upper end an opena. l` in which the movable rondisengjaged trom the contact 1,5ee,ea9

l with ege ol :i cr' to be elec bushing; fill whostl eondnfftors connerted to s car ied b v ffl. and the is :i whole is prei!- iiis sable.

ription. it will be i' 0S with ts springr 2T tiA f fniovaliie w. the cover ir t not only maj,v the contact 'y s be ea iv in- -li ff desired members ma): be v. .frnn Vtrom the ca, njy tor dressing' np or exan'i'iimition merel)v bg; \vitlalra\vin;r the "ond end ot thi iindle l 'trom its bearing in the rear side o; said case.

As will be understood bv those skilled in the art` the above switch is particularlyv adapted tir revin'u'n- Lr the direction ot opernot onliY rneoed and inexpensive. but in l a lition to being highly' simplified` is ot' 'h a nature as to rerpnre a minmmm of nl atte-,niion and repairs.

ll claim:

l. An electric controller comprising a casing adapted tor suspension from a cable and including a handle: fixed and movable contact members in the casing: and actaating means tor said mov: ble contact member consisting' ot two linls extendingr ont oit the casing toward the handle and itormed vfor engagement bv tine'ers ot an operator.

2. The combination in an electric controller. ot a basing'` i handle rigidlvv connected with the lasing and spaced theretron'i. tixed and movable electric contact members in the casing, and two linls connected with the movable member and adapted respectivelv tor moving it in opposite directions, the said li lts being movable toward and troin the handle and beingr provided with triggers whereb the;v may be respectively moved b v two dinerent lingers ot the hand ot an operator engaging the said handle.

he con'ibination in an electric controller, or a easing, a handle rigidly connected with the casing' and spaced theretiom, fixed contacts in the casing, a movable member in the casing and provided with contacts adapted to engage the lixed contacts when the member is in its operative osition to two diiiierent operative positions, r said linlrs bene` niovable toward and rom the handle and being provided with 'i triggers wl er by they ma)Y be respectively ti tl ti p tl moved by two different fingers of the hand of an operator engaging the said handle.

4. The combination in an eleetrie controller of a casing having a removable cover; a spindle having one end journaled in said cover; relatively fixed contacts supported by the casing wall; relatively movable contacts mounted on the Spindle in positions to cooperate With the lixed contacts under predetermined conditions; an operating member fixed to the spindle; an actuating link Connected to said member and projecting out of the casing7 with spring means acting on Said operating member to normally maintain the spindle-carried contacts disengaged from the other contacts.

The combination in an electric controller oit a easing having a removable @over and ineludiug a handle; a spindle partly Supported by said cover; a Cain plate fixed to the spindle; at least one actuating link connected to said Cam plate and enclosed by the'liandle; a Spring actuated plunger mounted on the cover in position to eo-aet vith the Cam plate to normally maintain it in a definite position; relatively fixed Contaets carried within the easing; and relatively movable contacts mounted on the spindle in position to co-act with the lixed Contacts under predetern'lined conditions.

WILLIAM C. BRIGGS. 

